News | May 8, 2012

Bosch Presents Enhanced Inspection Technology Portfolio

At Achema 2012 in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, Bosch Packaging Technology nderlines the substantial expansion of its inspection technology portfolio t its booth (C70, C72) in hall 3.1. Following the acquisition of Eisai achinery, the machinery business companies of Eisai Co., Ltd. in April 012, Bosch has systematically merged its inspection competencies with hose of Eisai Machinery. At Achema, Bosch presents a selection of ifferent manual, semi- and fully automated inspection machines from Eisai achinery, complemented by new developments from Bosch. The pinhole etection machine KLD 1043, for instance, can be combined with the isual inspection machines from Eisai Machinery to form an entire nspection line.

Particle and cosmetic inspection
The SD (static division) technology, developed by Eisai Machinery, is based n the detection of moving particles in pharmaceutical liquids. A light is rojected through the liquid onto an optical sensor (SD sensor). This enables the differentiation between particles contained in the liquid and immobile objects such as printing on the container. The SD technology is also suited for the inspection of filling levels. Ultramodern high-speed cameras, for their part, enable a reliable detection of cosmetic container defects. While the containers are rotated by more than 360 degrees, the camera takes several high-resolution images. It identifies cracks in the syringe flange, crimp defects or defects in the sealing integrity of ampoules.

From manual to fully automated
The main focus of Eisai Machinery’s portfolio is on fully automated inspection machines. All machines of the AIM, CIM and EIS series are fully validatable. Among the products exhibited at Achema are the high-end units EIS A206S for particle and cosmetic inspection of pre-filled syringes, and the AIM C203A for the respective inspection of ampoules, vials and cartridges. Particle inspection is performed with the SD technology. The machines record the specific parameters for each product. This data can be retrieved without performing actual product runs or needing to adjust the inspection system. All fully automated units can be connected to filling and closing lines, other inspection machines, labellers and cartoners, both up- and downstream.

The semi-automated inspection machines from the VIS series are used for particle and cosmetic inspection. Depending on the machine type, different containers can be examined for a wide range of manufacturing flaws such as cracks, foreign particles or other defects. The VIS units are available as stand-alone and integrated version. Like the fully automated series, the inline versions can be integrated into entire filling lines. The automatic feeding, sorting and discharging functions simplify the inspector’s manual work, enabling him to focus entirely on the quality control of the containers.

Manual inspection devices are used for smaller batch sizes, customized applications, laboratory analyses, stability surveys and evaluations of test sets. At Achema, Bosch presents the ETAC Easy View, a technical innovation for containers with diameters from 8 to 50 millimetres. The inspection device examines vials, ampoules, syringes and cartridges for particulate contamination and cosmetic container defects. The results are transmitted directly from the camera to the All-in-One computer and enable a particularly fast evaluation. Due to its compact design and its small weight, the table-top device is flexibly applicable.

New KLD 1043: extension of the line concept
Eisai Machinery and Bosch Packaging Technology look back on a long-term cooperation and many joint projects. Visual inspection from Eisai Machinery and physical container inspection from Bosch can be integrated into one line to obtain most complete inspection results. “With the incorporation of Eisai Machinery’s portfolio we can consistently expand our existing synergies, strengthen our line competence and offer our customers maximum safety”, said Joachim Baczewski, Head of Product

Group Inspection Technology at Bosch Packaging Technology. The KLDtype pinhole detection machines, for example, can be connected downstream to inspection machines from Eisai Machinery. According to the high-voltage testing method, hairline fissures, leaking closures, empty containers and insufficient glass thickness of ampoules, injection bottles and cartridges are identified. At Achema, Bosch presents the consistent further development of the KLD series.

The new KLD 1043 is based on the well-proven high-voltage measuring system and offers an especially gentle and user-friendly inspection. The speed of the pinhole detection machine has been significantly improved: It achieves an output of up to 36,000 items per hour. The machine design of the KLD 1043 was also optimized and is now even more compact, flexible and accessible. Faster format changeovers and shorter cleaning times are further benefits of its improved user-friendliness. The positioning of the bar electrodes result in gentle transport and expose the fragile glass containers to less stress.

About Bosch Packaging Technology:

The Bosch division Packaging Technology, based in Waiblingen (Germany), is one of the leading suppliers in the field of processing and packaging technology. In more than 15 countries worldwide it develops and produces complete solutions for the pharmaceutical, food and confectionery industries. The comprehensive service portfolio completes the package. The worldwide sales and service network offers local contacts. More information at www.boschpackaging.com.